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Listening to Machel Montano's soca (SOul of CAlypso), even at home in your living room, will make you feel like you're at Carnival. The Trinidadian began his career at age 10, and 25 years later, he's an international legend. He was victorious at Carnival last year — he was crowned Power Soca Monarch, and his single “Advantage” won the Road March competition — but his bigger goal is taking soca beyond the Caribbean.

On Soca:

“It pulls people together, and I think the world should experience that. People should come to Carnival and see soca in action — people smiling and hugging and having a good time. The world needs that right now.”

On His Appeal:

“I know how to be debonair, and I know how to entertain, but I think my talent is really reaching out to people, putting them in a good mood, making them laugh and jump with me — and feel totally joyful.”

On What's Next:

“My mission has always been to take my music to the corners of the globe, to make soca hip. I mix it with hiphop, with R&B, so it's always a developing thing for me. Soca needs its Bob Marley. The amazing energy of soca music — it deserves to be shared with the world.”

The Music:

Winning Song: Soca artists are serious about claiming the Road March title (the song played most at the parade's judging stations). Machel's winning “Advantage” is infectiously catchy — just try to get it out of your head — and still getting plenty of airplay. Download it for 99 cents at trinidadtunes.com.

New Release: Capitalizing on all the Carnival love is "The Return," Machel's newest album — his 35th, if you're counting. He debuted it with a smash concert at Hasely Crawford Stadium in Trinidad late February and has since seen several singles dominate the charts, including “Advantage,” “Bend Over,” and “Illegal.”